It’s February. The month of love and heartache. And we’re a podcast focused on entertainment. Put those together and what do you get? An episode focused on the most emotional relationships in television, of course!

We discuss some of those relationships in TV that either broke or healed our aching hearts. Perhaps they filled our cups with joy, or maybe their angst flowed over into our own realities. It’s an intriguing conversation and there is no better time to discuss it.

Also this week: Star Wars gets another trilogy, Deadpool once again leads the charge in marketing strategy, reviews of Entanglement, The Ritual, and 15:17 to Paris, and much more.

Join in on our conversation and listen to the latest episode of The Hollywood Outsider.

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

On their first date, Alex and Zoe (Rachele Schank and Luke Brandon Field) adventure out to see a movie at a local theater. After the film, the couple find themselves trapped inside the theater for the night. Their adventure starts out light and comical as they search for an escape and quickly find themselves falling for one another. As they search for an escape, an unexpected twist abruptly changes the course of the night.

For this exclusive interview, Aaron sits down with the director of "One Last Night", Anthony Sabet. An up-and-coming filmmaker, Anthony discusses his path from abroad to LA, his pursuit of his dream to create this film, as well as how a personal event helped shaped this story that now exists.

One Last Night is releasing to film festivals currently, and look for it soon in other release options. Take a listen to our interview with director, Anthony Sabet.

An adventure almost 7 years in the making, THIS is the 300th episode of The Hollywood Outsider Podcast!

On this grossly oversized episode, we drop the usual strict adherence to format and simply speak about the changes in entertainment since the show’s inception, as well as the evolution of the podcast itself.

Also, we each pay tribute to all of the hosts of The HO, from the original run up until now, complete with scattered compilation clips from the best episodes throughout the years.

300 is one episode you do NOT want to miss.

THIS IS THE HO!

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

(0:00 – 54:05)Opening | Film and TV Discussion: How movies and TV have evolved since 2011, the evolution of streaming, and movie recommendations that moved us over the years.

Last year, we debated on how, if we were to drop ourselves into a movie, we could defeat an iconic movie villain. It was a difficult task, though with a little creativity and a box of flies, we were able to fend off evil fairly successfully.

This year, we wanted to turn the tables. The villains rarely win, which means heroes are far more difficult to bring down. Therefore, on this episode we put ourselves firmly in the shoes of supervillains and megalomaniacs everywhere and determine exactly how we would bring down iconic movie heroes such as Iron Man, Batman, Harry Potter, James Bond, and even Luke Skywalker!

That’s not nearly everything. We also have a report from RRStar.com reporter Adam Poulisse on Sundance and films Hereditary, Minding the Gap, and Piercing; discussion on Oscar snubs, Netflix’s goal to change the industry, MoviePass’ latest move, and Breaking Bad’s anniversary; as well as reviews of Open House and Hostiles.

Join in on our conversation and listen to the latest episode of The Hollywood Outsider.

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

One of our most popular episodes of each year is our film and television release extravaganza, the episode where we break down the most anticipated movies and TV series debuts of the entire year. And with 2018 in full swing, it’s finally time to look ahead to these exciting releases still to come in 2018!

And for that, we have two guests to help wind our way through this cavalcade of entertainment. We kick things off with Shawn Fuller of the Horribly Awkward podcast, as we dive into anticipated films like Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ocean’s Eight, Tomb Raider, Avengers: Infinity War, Jurassic World 2, Deadpool 2, and a whole lot more.

Then, we move over to television as Troy Heinritz of The Blacklist Exposed and Beyond Westworld joins in to debate shows such as: Sharp Objects, Castle Rock, Jack Ryan, The Alienist, Maniac, and even the return of Roseanne.

All of those titles are just the tip of the iceberg! We’re discussing over 40 new movies and TV shows releasing in 2018 on this episode, so bring a notebook because we’re about to help you plan your entire year in entertainment!

Join in on our conversation and listen to the latest episode of The Hollywood Outsider.

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

Aaron introduces his latest podcast, Smirk, now available on your podcast app of choice, or at SmirkPodcast.com

Magic. Wonder. Endless possibilities. This week, Amanda tells a story about a young boy, who imagination has awoken a spark of sorts. By the time she hits the hyperdrive to reach her moral, we will all recall that blinding innocence we held as a child.

Welcome to Smirk. A podcast that covers society and culture through a storytelling lens. Part creative writing, part discussion, and always interesting. Each week our hosts brings a story to the show, a story they wrote themselves. These stories can cover any topic the host wants to discuss, it can be lighthearted or more serious. No one but the author knows if these tales are truth or fiction, and part of the fun is guessing while you're listening before the reality is made clear.

We want to hear from you! If you want to share YOUR story, join the conversation by writing in to mystory@smirkpodcast.com, and include your moral, or you can let us guess at it. This is the podcast that looks at truth, fiction, and reality. With a Smirk.

Don't forget to subscribe to Smirk and share the show with your friends!

This week, we decided to delay our previously scheduled format until next week, as a member of The Hollywood Outsider family has passed on. We did not feel it appropriate to air a normal show, given the circumstances, so instead Aaron and Scott sit down to share their thoughts on the loss of a founding member of the show. We conclude with a respectfully edited re-airing of Justin Macumber's farewell episode, and we encourage you to dive into his collection of books and articles.

As you listen to this episode, several of our hosts also wanted to share their thoughts on Justin with his audience. You can find those below.

John

My experiences with Justin started as a listener of the Hollywood Outsider. He was the voice that I loved disagreeing with…but most often he made me crazy when I had to agree with him. His insights and appreciation for pop culture helped make the show what it is today. It was a pleasure and an honor to share the few episodes I could with him. A great wealth of knowledge has been lost, fare thee well Justin.

Brian

My involvement with The Hollywood Outsider has afforded me countless unique experiences, laughs, and friendships over the years. One of those treasures was Justin Macumber. (My God, he would never let me forget that compliment lol).

If there was one thing Justin and I were guaranteed to have a good time doing together, it was making Aaron frustrated. We would finish the pre-show greetings and sound checks. Everybody’s ready to get started. All’s quiet. Aaron would inhale and then…

“UTINNI!!!”

The Star Wars sound bite that would trip up Aaron’s focus enough to the point of having to do multiple retakes. It never quit being funny (even though Aaron would say otherwise). Justin’s cackling laughter always made it worth the cost of whatever eye rolling I could feel Aaron sending my way. His honest laughs were so infectious that you could not help but join in and I knew comedy gold was struck when I heard that loud laugh.

Things weren’t always fun and games. There were heated moments for sure. There were times I would feel like FedEx-ing a throat punch to him. As with any family, you have your ups and downs. The Hollywood Outsiders are no different. But by the end of the night, there was usually a priceless and hilarious discussion that never seemed to get recorded. He was always in the middle of it – if not leading it. And a “goodnight” to everybody that sometimes included a “love you guys”.

It’s hard to believe I write this having spent hundreds of hours with Justin, yet never even had lunch with him in person. That’s one of the interesting things about the time we live in. You can have a meaningful bond with someone you’ve never physically met. We got to see him chase his dream of being a published author. Consoled him as he worried about his wife’s own health scare. Shared Christmas gifts with one another. And now he’s gone. It’s not fair.

We’ll never get to hear his squeaky chair; hear him softly sing “It’s Been Awhile” anytime that phrase was said; or introduce himself with his own theme music again. And that is a hole that’ll never be filled (that’s what she said *wink*).

We love you.

We miss you.

Farewell, my friend.

Aaron

Many years ago, we were putting together a podcast to talk about entertainment, and we needed a voice. Someone distinct, insightful, contemplative, occasionally combative, and passionate. Scott knew a fella who had already established himself in the podcast community with his show catering to writers, and his name was Justin Macumber.

With Brian in the mix, we all clicked almost instantly, each of us taking swipes at each other’s tastes, and often Justin and I specifically would engage in heated debates that would ultimately end in no winner declared, but everyone listening laughing hysterically. Or ironically. One of those. The truth of the matter is, there were times we each probably wanted to lock each other in the LOST hatch, but more times than not, we were smiling and over it in minutes. We are both very passionate about the things we love, and as a person who loves a good debate, Justin was always a stellar sparring partner.

Along the way, he also became a friend. He loved to tell me when I was wrong, and no topic was off limits. I recall once we even had a hefty argument over my parenting choices, which in hindsight was pretty hilarious because of how ridiculously inappropriate his advice was. At the same time, there were numerous instances where Justin and his “so left he’s leaning sideways” manner helped me see sides to a subject I never would have considered, had he not persisted in only that way he can.

We ended up bonding over numerous interests, and we even did a few side projects together. Those efforts led directly to my friendships with Troy, Wayne, Darrell, and many others. Looking back, it’s amazing to think of the many branches a single relationship leads to. It all culminated in a trip to SXSW where we spent 5 days together watching movies and having a lifetime of experiences.

Over the past two years, I have witnessed his hardships and struggles, and the impact they took on both his body and his unwavering soul. Even things he loved with every fiber of his being – Krista, Star Wars, Superman, his books – ceased being everyday topics of discussion. For a man so in love with dreams and the limitless possibilities in the stars, life’s harsh realities were taking a toll.

I have been trying to put the words together to express what it means to lose a friend you have public discussions with every week, but too many of you already know. Over the past day, such an amazing arsenal of support in every corner of the internet has popped up, reminding those who knew him who he was, and those who didn’t what they missed.

But unlike so many of our friends and family who have passed, Justin is not lost to the ether. He has left an indelible mark on his community of fans in numerous forms. Between his work on Dead Robots Society and The Hollywood Outsider, his passionate voice can live on. With his many published books, his vision, words, and artistic drive can live on. And with the family, friends, and fans he has left behind, his memory will live on.

Even though he doesn’t believe in an afterlife, I pray there is one. So he can look down and see all of this praise, because you know he would absolutely love it. I also want him to read this and know that I was so looking forward to him healing and coming back for another episode, debating with vigor those things we each love. I will miss having that sparring partner. But mostly, I want him to see that I finally used his stupid Oxford comma in this post reasonably, often, and appropriately.

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we revisit 2017 as we present The 2018 HO Awards for the best and worst we saw in film and television. From the explosion of quality content on TV, to the implosion of mediocrity scattered about, to an overload of greatness in theaters – THIS is the only podcast awards you need to listen to!

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

(0:00 – 26:56) Opening | Television HO Awards

(26:57 – 40:07) In Memoriam | Hollywood Outsider Podcast Awards

(40:08 – 1:23:44) Film HO Awards

(1:23:45 – 1:32:30) Listener Awards | HO TV Series and Movie of the Year

We are taking the week off to prep for next week's The Hollywood Outsider Awards, but that does NOT mean you will not receive something to ring in your new ears! For this extended bonus episode of our show, we look back on four of our most popular topics from this past year.

We kick things off with our Marvel Sidekicks Movie Battle Royale from episode 270. Everyone has their favorite hero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but what about those underserved heroes BEHIND the heroes? Listener Reece joins in and by the end of our debate, we will have crowned our own champion.

Then we turn to television, as we discuss who maintained the strongest father-child relationships on television from episode 275. It's a heartfelt discussion with plenty of laughter, as Aaron's SMIRK podcast co-hosts join him to debate which TV dads have done the best job of creating a bond with their brood.

Our most popular episode of this past year, was also our most controversial as we hopped into a Delorean and headed back to 1987 to discuss our favorite movies and TV from that era.

And finally, we close out with SONG! What is the greatest original movie title song of all time? Could it be Ghostbusters? Or Purple Rain? You're about to find out as long-time listener Tammy joins in to help us crown a lyrical champion in another smashing Movie Battle Royale!

If you are new to the show, this is a highlight reel of what listeners enjoyed earlier in the year. And if you are a long-time listener, enjoy four of your favorite topics all in one episode! And be sure to come back next week, for our 2018 HO Awards!

Discussed on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider Movie and TV Podcast:

On the CBS series, Elyes Gabel stars as Walter O’Brien, a genius leader of a team of brilliant misfits who function as the country’s last line of defense against high-tech threats. As Team Scorpion, these members of Homeland Security’s think tank solve the nation’s crises, as well as try to fit in. With a great cast including Katharine McPhee and Robert Patrick, Scorpion currently airs on Mondays at 10pm Eastern.

For this episode, we are talking to the founder of Scorpion Computer Services, and the executive producer and inspiration for the CBS television series, Scorpion, Walter O’Brien.

Walter has led a pretty exciting life, and during our interview we talk about much of it. He discusses his past as a hacker, how Scorpion Computer Services came to be, creating a television legacy that also functions as a recruiting tool, he answers a few listener questions, and of course, where he goes from here.

If you want to hire Walter and his think tank, head to ScorpionComputerServices.com or ConciergeUp.com to find out more.